Lambeg drums celebrate links between Carrick and the White House

Two newly painted lambeg drums will be reminders of the unique links which Carrick has to the White House, while a third new drum for a local club will keep alive the memory of one of the town’s best-known bands of the 20th Century.
The drum is a reminder of the unique links which Carrick has to the White House.The drum is a reminder of the unique links which Carrick has to the White House.
The drum is a reminder of the unique links which Carrick has to the White House.

Carrickfergus Drumming Club was established in 2014 and has been going from strength to strength, which is highlighted by the unveiling of the three new drums.

Two will pay homage to the first Ulster Scot President in the White House, Andrew Jackson, while the third is a tribute drum to the Star of Eden Pipe Band, purchased through the generosity of the remaining band members.

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The Jackson Centre in Carrick and President Jackson himself – the son of Andrew and Elizabeth Jackson of Bonnybefore – adorn a drum apiece.

The drum pays tribute to the first Ulster Scot President in the White House, Andrew Jackson.The drum pays tribute to the first Ulster Scot President in the White House, Andrew Jackson.
The drum pays tribute to the first Ulster Scot President in the White House, Andrew Jackson.

The third has the crest of the old Carrickfergus Borough Council and the motto Gloria Prisca Novatur (the glory of the old made new) with Star of Eden PB across the top.

One of the leading lights in the drumming club, Godfrey Robinson, said that the club had originally started off with two old drums which had been ‘rediscovered’ in the town’s Orange Hall after many years of being dormant.

Grants were available from the Arts Council and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to refurbish the drums, but not to decorate them, so the latter part of the process has taken longer to complete.

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The Star of Eden drum came about through the distribution of monies from the now defunct band, which finally went off the road in 2018.

The drum keeps the memory of one of the town’s best-known bands alive.The drum keeps the memory of one of the town’s best-known bands alive.
The drum keeps the memory of one of the town’s best-known bands alive.

Brian Skelton, an enthusiastic member of the drumming club, whose family had long connections with the Star of Eden Pipe Band, said he was delighted to see the new crest.

He explained that senior members of the band had agreed that remaining monies when it was wound up should be used for a lambeg drum.

He said: “They felt it would be a lasting memento and it would be nice to commemorate the band in this way.

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“I had been talking to Godfrey Robinson about the drumming club and he said the last members of the pipe band were considering having a drum made for the club, so it all progressed from there.”

Permission was sought from Carrickfergus Borough Council at the time to have the borough crest as a centrepiece and painter Andy Young carried out the work.

He said: “It has the motto of the glory of the old made new which is appropriate as this is a memento of Star of Eden Pipe Band for future generations.

“It will be nice to see the drum out on different occasions with the club.”

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Brian said band records show that Star of Eden started as a flute band around 1924-25 and then changed to a pipe band, using old army uniforms initially.

Many Carrick residents will recall the red uniforms which the band used to wear, superseded in their later years by a green uniform.

The band ceased in 2018, only four players remaining, which made it impossible to continue.

Brian said: “It is part of the area’s more recent history.”

Godfrey Robinson said that when it came to painting the other two drums, the members of the club were determined not to take what might be the expected option of Carrickfergus Castle.

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Being from Bonnybefore, Godfrey was aware of the heritage which the area had relating to President Andrew Jackson, and he suggested to the members that this should be the focus.

The result is that the two drums are named The Andrew Jackson and The Jackson Homestead and it is believed they may be the first lambeg drums to highlight a US President.

Willie Hill, who has been the tutor of the drumming club for the past three years, said he was only aware of a lambeg drum in Texas which had General Sam Houston, whose ancestors were from Ballyboley, while Caddy at Randalstown has a drum with John Wayne, whose ancestors were from that area.

He paid tribute to the Carrick club saying it “had started from nothing, and has progressed really well.”

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“Last year was obviously a very difficult one and there were no competitions but there are plans for the Carrick club to feature in a forthcoming documentary on lambeg drums and we look forward to being able to continue tuition and competition work in the future,” he said.

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